System for moving bodies towards and away from each other



Jan; 14, 1935. A R ER 2,027,386

SYSTEM FOR MOVING BODIES TOWARDS AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER Filed Dec. 1,1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. KRUMMER Jan. 14, 1936.

SYSTEM FOR movme somss TOWARDS AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER Filed Dec. 1,1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gnvenfor:

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Patented Jan. 14, 1936 iiitlt'iED STATES PATENT OFFICE SYSTEM FOR MOVINGBODIES TOWARDS AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER Adolf Kriimmer, Berlin, Germany14 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in systems for moving bodiestowards and away from each other and the object of the improvements isto provide a system which combines the functions of this moving the saidbodies towards and away from each other and supporting or holding thesame in their relative positions and further to increase the stabilityof the bodies relatively to each other. Other objects are to provide anapparatus which has a low weight, and which when folded togetherrequires little room. With these objects in View my invention consistsin connecting the bodies by means of pairs of angularly disposed linkswhich are adapted to be inclined more or less relatively to the bodiesby means of a rotary member for shifting the apices of the angularlydisposed links. Thus rotary movement of the said rotary member istransformed into progressive movement of the said apices and the bodyconnected with the links at the said apices, transverse displacementbeing made impossible by the location of the ends of the links, and bythe outwardly projected links forming a frame work.

For the purpose of explaining the invention two examples embodying thesame have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1is a diagrammatical perspective view of the apparatus, and

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a modification; Fig. 3 is a perspectiveview of the invention as embodied in atable;

Fig. e is a perspective view showing the invention as embodied in abeacon tower; Q Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a section of abridge construction; and

Fig. 6 is an elevation, partly in section, showing a portion of a bridgeembodying a construction according to Fig. 5.

In the figures the system has been shown with the links projected. Thesystem illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises two bodies A and B in the form ofdisks, a disk C disposed concentrically of the disk B and adapted to beturned relatively thereto about its axis, a set of links (1 a a jointedwith their top and bottom ends respectively to the disks A and B at l,m, n and o, p, q, and links b 11 12 connected with their top ends to thedisk A at the joints Z, m, n of the links a a a and with their bottomends to the rotary disk C at 1', s, t, the said joints 1', s and itbeing located one circle which is concentric to the disk C. All thelinks have equal length.

If the disk C is turned clockwise through an angle of all the links arefolded into a horizontal plane, and in the said plane they are arrangedalong two equilateral triangles located one within the other. Ifthereafter the disk C is turned anti-clockwise, thelinks are againprojected outwardly and the disk A and B are spread 5 apart and into thepositionshown in the figure.

statically the last named position isthe .optimum in so far as the linksprovide six equilateral triangles providing a cylinder.

If either the disk B and C or the disk A are 10 reduced in diameter, thelinks are arranged when projected along a cone, and the frame producedthereby has even higher strength in transverse direction than the frameshown in the figure. It will be understood that the system may be ar- 15ranged with the links in different positions, above and below the saidoptimum, according to the position of the disk C relatively to the diskB, the said positions corresponding to different distances between thedisks A and B.

In a modification the joints of the links are not disposed on a circlebut on another curve, such as an ellipse. If now the rotary disk C isturned about its axis the movable disk A is shifted in axial direction,and simultaneously it is twisted. In this case I prefer to provide morethan three links in order to insure correct twisting. In this way I amenabled to transform disks, which in the folded position of theapparatus are flat, into concave bodies, for example into concavemirrors, in which case some parts of the disk, for example the lowermostparts thereof, may be fixed in position by solid or adjustable holdingmeans of any kind, such for example as ropes or rods exposed either topressure or tension.

In another modification one or more of the joints are mounted for beingshlftable radially of the disk A, for example by means of screwmechanism, and the said mechanisms may be constructed for independentoperation or for operation together with the means for imparting rotarymovement to the disk C. By this mechanism, in lieu of the parallelmovement of the disks A and B relatively to each other, angular movementmay be obtained.

In the modification-shown in Fig. 2 two systems such as are shown inFig. 1 are combined into a single system having the disk B in common andthe links directed therefrom to opposite sides, the links and disks Abeingdisposed symmetri- 50 cally to one another. If the rotary disk Cwhich is common to both systems is turned about its axis both sets oflinks are simultaneously operated, and the relative movements of bothsystems take place with reference to the relative 55 positions of thelinks in opposite senses. Therefore the joints Z, m, n provided on thedisk A and the joints Z m 11. provided on the corresponding disk Alocated at the opposite side to the disk B and below the same are movedin the same direction and the said joints Z, 111, n and 1 m 11 are notmoved relatively to each other in circumferential direction. Thereforethe disksAand A are shifted horizontally only relatively to the disk B,and they are moved relatively to each other only in axial direction.Therefore, whereever relative rotary movement of the supporting body andthe supported body is not desired, such relative rotary movement may beavoided by combining two system in the manner described, A system ofthis type may be used for example in apparatus for lifting motor cars.

By combining more than two systems of the construction shown in Figs. 1or 2 and providing proper rigid or flexible connecting members, rotarymovement of a single disk such as C may be transmitted to all the otherrotary disks C. Thus the whole structure may be extended or foldedtogether all over its length or with a part of its length by impartingrotary movement to one of the said disks C.

The construction of Fig. 3 is much similar, in basic principles, to thatof Fig. 1, the latch l2, l3 merely serving to lock the rotatable memberC with respect to the body B when the bodies A and B are in theirextended position, and the stop [4 cooperating with one of the hingedconnections for the links, in order to limit the permissible angularmovement of the member C.

The tower construction of Fig. 4 embodies a plurality of double elementsaccording to the invention. The elements I and 2 may be fitted to eachother, and are shown as completely extended. The element 3 is onlypartly extended, while element 4 is in a folded position. The beacon 5is shown as mounted on the tower.

In Fig. 5, two double elements are illustrated, which may be used in theconstruction of a bridge. The rings 6 and l of the two elements 6 and 1can be inclined towards the other rings of the elements by shifting thetop ends 8 and 9 of the pairs of links H] and II, respectively, in theslits 6 and 1', so that any desired curvature may be produced for use inthe bridge, such as shown, for example, in Fig. 6.

Where the system is subject to transverse thrust, as may be the case forexample in the construction of turrets or supports for guns, ropes areprovided which are automatically put under tension when the system isbeing spread apart. Where higher strength is needed, and where thesystem is subject to pressure, a plurality of spreading devices may bedisposed concentrically of one another.

For preventing the play of the joints automatic means may be providedfor fixing the joints in position.

My improved system is very stable, it has a low weight, it requireslittle room, and it permits rapid operation. It may be used in theconstruction of foldable tables, foldable seats, of tables which areadapted to be set to different heights, for example for the purpose ofthe sport, of the industry and scientific research. For these purposes asingle system such as is shown in Fig. 1 will be suflicient.

The combination of two or more systems into a single device may be usedfor various purposes, for example for disappearing supports for machineguns, which are adapted to retract the gun from sight, for search lightsand signals, for armour-plated turrets for directing battles orcontrolling the firing of guns, particularly such as are provided onboard of ships remaining behind cover, disappearing observation masts onboard of ships in which case the mast may be sunk below the deck whilesimultaneously the opening through which the mast is projected is closedfolding turrets for fighting fire, for turrets used in assemblingmachinery and scaffolding, for which purpose the aforesaid radialdisplacement of one or more of the joints may be provided for laterallyinclining the turrets so that also parts are accessible which arelocated laterally of the vertical axis of the turret for stationary ormovable lifting devices for motor cars.

Where a plurality of the systems shown in Fig. 1 are arranged forhorizontal movement, the system may be used for shifting lenses forexample in photographic cameras, or for landing bridges on board ofships, for foldable pontoons or foldable bridges. Further, the apparatusmay be used in the construction of the supporting planes of aeroplaneswhich are adapted to be extended in lateral and longitudinal directions.

I claim:

1. Means for moving two bodies towards and away from each other, and forsupporting them in any intermediate position, comprising two disc-likebodies disposed in substantially parallel planes, a third bodysubstantially parallel to the said first bodies, a plurality of pairs oflinks, the links of each pair being angularly disposed with respect toeach other and being connected at their apices to one of said disc-likebodies, the other ends of the links of each pair being connected one toeach of the other of said disc-like bodies and to said third body, saidthird body being rotatable with respect to said first bodies, and therotation thereof causing shifting of the apices of the angles betweenthe links of each pair, and variation in the spacing of the two bodies.

2. Means for moving two bodies towards and away from each other and forsupporting them in any intermediate position, comprising two disc-likebodies disposed in substantially parallel planes, a third bodysubstantially parallel to the said first bodies, a plurality of pairs ofsubstantially rigid links, the links of each pair being angularlydisposed with respect to each other and being connected at their apicesto one of said disclike bodies, the other ends of the links of each pairbeing. connected one to each of the other of said disc-like bodies andto said third body, the rigid links being capable of supporting the twofirst bodies in any position of extension, when the links are lockedagainst angular variation with respect to each other.

3. Means for moving two bodies towards and away from each other and forsupporting them in any intermediate position, comprising two disclikebodies disposed in substantially parallel planes, a third bodysubstantially parallel to the said first bodies, a plurality of pairs ofnon-collapsible links, the links of each pair being angularly disposedwith respect to each other and be ing connected at their apices to oneof said disclike bodies, the other ends of the links of each pair beingconnected one to each of the other of said disc-like bodies and to saidthird body, the non-collapsible links being capable of supporting thetwo first bodies in any position of extension, when the links are lockedagainst angular variation with respect to each other.

4. Means-for movingtwo bodies towards and away from each other, and forsupporting them in any intermediate position, comprisingtwo disclikebodies -disposed in substantially parallel planes, a third bodysubstantially parallelto the said first bodies, a plurality of pairs oflinks, the said bodies being substantially concentric, the links of eachpair being angularly. disposed with respect to each other and beingconnected at their apices-to one of'said disc-like bodies, the otherends. of the links of each pair being connected one to each'oftheotherof said disc-likebodies and to said third body, said third bodybeing rotatable with respect to said first bodies, and the rotationthereof causing shifting of the apices of the angles between the linksof each pair, and variation in the spacing of the two bodies.

5. Means for moving two bodies towards and away from each other, and forsupporting them ing angularly disposed with respect to each other andbeing connected at their apices to one of said disc-like bodies, thesaid apices being disposed symmetrically about said body to which theyare connected, adjacent the periphery thereof, the other ends of thelinks of each pair being connected to each of the other of saiddisc-like bodies and to said third body, and being disposedsymmetrically thereabout adjacent the periphery thereof, said third bodybeing rotatable with respect to said first bodies, and rotation thereofcausing shifting of the apices of the angles between the links of eachpair, and variation in the spacing of the two bodies.

6. Means for moving two bodies towards and away from each other, and forsupporting them in any intermediate position, comprising two disclikebodies disposed in substantially parallel planes, a third bodysubstantially parallel to the said two first bodies, the said threebodies being substantially concentric, at least three pairs of links,the links of each pair being angularly disposed with respect to eachother and being connected at their apices to one of said disc-likebodies, the other ends of the links of each pair being connected one toeach of the other of said disc-like bodies and to said third body, saidthird body being rotatable with respect to said first bodies and therotation thereof causing shifting of the apices of the angles betweenthe ends of each pair, and variation in the spacing of the two bodies.

7. Means for moving two bodies towards and away from each other, and forsupporting them in any intermediate position, comprising two disclikebodies disposed in substantially parallel planes, a third bodysubstantially parallel to the said two first bodies, the said threebodies being substantially concentric, at least three pairs of links,the links of each pair being angularly disposed with respect to eachother and being connected at their apices to one of said disc-likebodies, the said apices being disposed symmetrically about the body towhich they are connected, adjacent the periphery thereof, the other endsof the links of each pair being connected one to each of the other ofsaid disc-like bodies and to said third body and being disposedsymmetrically thereabout adjacent the periphery thereof, said third bodybeing rotatable with respect to said first bodies, and rotation thereofcausing shiftof each pair, and variation in the spacingof the twobodies.

8.-Means for-moving two bodies towards and away from each other, and forsupporting them ofsaid disc-like bodies'and said third body, said thirdbody being rotatable with respect to said first bodies, and rotationthereof causing shifting of the'apices of the angles between the linksof each pair, and variation in the spacing of the two bodies.

9. Means for moving bodies towards and away from each other and forsupporting them in any intermediate position, comprising a centrallydisposed, disc-like body, two additional disc-like bodies disposed oneoneach side of said firstmentioned body, the three bodies being disposedin substantially parallel planes, a fourth body substantially parallelto the said three bodies, two sets of links, each consisting of aplurality of pairs, the links of each pair of one set being angularlydisposed with respect to each other and being connected at their apicesto one of said two similar disc-like bodies, the other ends of the linksof each pair of the said set being connected one to each of the firstsaid disc-like body and to said fourth body, and the links of the secondset connecting the other of the two similar disc-like bodies to thefirst disc-like body and to the fourth body in like manner, said fourthbody being rotatable with respect to the first three bodies and rotationthereof causing shifting of the apices of the angles between the linksof each pair of each set, and causing variation in the spacing of thetwo similar bodies with respect to the first said body on opposite sidesthereof, while maintaining unchanged the angular relation of the twosimilar bodies with respect to each other.

10. Means for moving two bodies towards and away from each other, andfor supporting them in any intermediate position, comprising twodisc-like bodies disposed in substantially parallel planes, a third bodysubstantially parallel to the said first bodies, a plurality of pairs oflinks of equal length, the links of each pair being angularly disposedwith respect to each other and being connected at their apices to one ofsaid disc-like bodies, the other ends of the links of each pair beingconnected one to each of the other of said disc-like bodies and to saidthird body, said third body being rotatable with respect to said firstbodies, and the rotation thereof causing shifting of the apices of theangles between the links of each pair, and variation in the spacing ofthe two bodies.

11. Means for moving two bodies towards and away from each other, andfor supporting them in any intermediate position, comprising twodisc-like bodies disposed in substantially parallel planes, a third bodysubstantially parallel to said two first bodies, the said three bodiesbeing substantially concentric, a plurality of pairs of links of equallength, the links of each pair being angularly disposed with respect toeach other and being connected at their apices to one of saidingofthe'apices of the angles between the links disc-like bodies, thesaid apices being symmetrically disposed about the body to which theyare connected, adjacent the periphery thereof, the other ends of thelinks of each pair being con nected one to each of the other of saiddisc-like bodies and to said third body and being disposed symmetricallythereabout adjacent the periphery thereof, said third body beingrotatable with respect to said first bodies, and rotation thereofcausing shifting of the apices of the angles between the links of eachpair, and variation in the spacing of the two bodies.

12. Means for moving two bodies towards and away from each other, andfor supporting them in any intermediate position, comprising twodisc-like bodies of substantially the same size disposed insubstantially parallel planes, a third body substantially parallel tothe said two first bodies, the said three bodies being substantiallyconcentric, a plurality of pairs of links of equal length, the links ofeach pair being angularly disposed with respect to each other and beingconnected at their apices to one of said disc-like bodies, the otherends of the links of each pair being connected one to each of the otherof said disc-like bodies and to said third body, said third body beingrotatable with respect to said first bodies, and the rotation thereofcausing shifting of the apices of the angles between the links of eachpair, and variation in the spacing of the two bodies.

13. Means for moving two bodies towards and away from each other, andfor supporting them in any intermediate position, comprising twodisclike bodies of diflerent size disposed in substantially parallelplanes, a third body substantially parallel to the said two firstbodies, the said three bodies being substantially concentric, aplurality of pairs of links of equal length, the links of each pairbeing angularly disposed with respect to each other and being connectedat their apices to one of said disc-like bodies, the 10 other ends ofthe links of each pair being connected one to each of the other of saiddisc-like bodies and to said third body, said third body being rotatablewith respect to said first bodies,

and the rotation thereof causing shifting of the 15 apices of the anglesbetween the links of each pair, and variation in the spacing of the twobodies.

14. A mechanism for spreading apart or moving towards each other twobodies by means of 20 links disposed thereon, in which the said linksare disposed in pairs, the apices of each pair of links being attachedto one of said bodies in at least three places, the base end of one ofthe links of each pair being connected to the second body 25 and beingmovable to the right, and an auxiliary member disposed rotatably withrespect to both of said first-mentioned bodies and to which the base endof the second link of each pair is connected,

and which is adapted to move to the left. a

ADOLF KR'UMMER.

